John Meredyth Lucas,
son of silent screen star and screenwriter BessMeredyth (Ben-Hur, The
Sea Beast, When a Man Loves, Don Juan) and stepson of renowned
Hungarian-born director Michael Curtiz (Casablanca,
Mildred Pierce, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Life with Father), came
of age in Hollywood during the 1930s. Lucas went on to an impressive career of
his own as a writer-producer-director. He made films with Hal Wallis, Ross Hunter,
Walt Disney, and others, and he wrote, produced, and directed such classic television
series as Mannix, The Fugitive and Star Trek.

Completed shortly before his death in 2002, Lucas’ memoir
is filled with never-before-told recollections of many Hollywood greats and features
previously unpublished photographs. With Lucas, we go behind the scenes, onto
the studio lots and into the parties with family friends John Barrymore, Joan
Crawford, Errol Flynn and Jack Warner, to name just a few. It’s a boy’s-eye-view
of Hollywood in a time of glamour, decadence, and the golden years of filmmaking.

"I found this to be an intimate and heartfelt memoir. Eighty
Odd Years in Hollywood provides a fascinating glimpse behind-the-scenes
during Hollywood's Golden Era. True film buffs and film historians will find a
great deal to relish in this book."